Summary Consuming liquor forbidden in Geeta, says Ramesh Kumar, liquor license earns revenue, Excise lawyer
KARACHI: (Daily Dunya) – Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday asked why were certain Muslims not ready to completely ban the sale of liquor in Pakistan when the non-Muslims had no issue with it. Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ramesh Kumar told the court that consuming liquor was forbidden for Hindus according to their holy book Geeta. However, Excise lawyer Asma Jahangir said on the occasion that the liquor license earned revenue for the government, reported Daily Dunya.
Giving his observation while issuing notices to all the parties on the case, SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah said that Hindu and Christian communities were ready for the ban on liquor but Muslims didn’t seem to be agreeing.
Sindh Excise and Taxation department was represented by Asma Jahangir Advocate who said that Ramesh Kumar was a legislator, not a religious leader, and thus couldn’t speak for entire Hindu community just because he was a member of the assembly. She said that Ramesh Kumar was free to push for legislation against liquor selling in Pakistan.
YAsin Azad Advocate appeared before the court on behalf of the Hindu community. He said that it was allowed in Hindu religion to consume liquor. He remarked there was no ban on liquor in Hindu religion.
Chief Justice said that the court had listened to the arguments previously as well and would do it again. He also said that the court could also summon Hindu and Christian religious leaders for the assistance of the court, if required.
